Few 4-string electric basses are as flat-out cool or have as much powerful tone as the MusicMan StingRay. Introduced in 1976, the StingRay was the first bass to feature active electronics and advancements such as a 6-bolt neck joint, contoured body, superior neck truss-rod system, and rock-solid bridge, all of which keep it on top of the pack. The StingRay is constructed with a select hardwood body, maple neck, Schaller BM tuners, 3-band active EQ, and MusicMan humbucking pickup.

My Stingray has been through everything with me from the birth of my children to the demise of my marriage. She took everything...but not my Stingray. Okay they ain't cheap and they...Read complete review

My Stingray has been through everything with me from the birth of my children to the demise of my marriage. She took everything...but not my Stingray. Okay they ain't cheap and they ain't that light but they have everything you could ever ask for in a bass. The ability to go from blues to metal to jazz with ease makes this one of the most versatile basses on the market. I've had mine since 88 and it looks it. She is well loved. Probably not the best bass to learn on due to the fat neck and weight but the build quality, tone, looks and ability are second to none. I heard my precision on the phone yesterday...I think she's seeing someone else. Oh well.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

No Love for the finger player

I have read all of these great reviews on this bass and I'm curious if this is the bass people are actually talking about. When I recieved my mm I must say that I...Read complete review

I have read all of these great reviews on this bass and I'm curious if this is the bass people are actually talking about. When I recieved my mm I must say that I was very impressed with its look and feel. However, as soon as I plugged it in I found that there was no high end on this bass what so ever. The E and A string are 100 times louder than the D and G. I contacted musicians friend on this issue and they said that the pickup probably needed to be adjusted so I adjusted it and it still had the same problem. Another thing I didn't like about this bass was the position of the humbucker and the screws that hold it in place. There really isn't enough space to put your thumb. After all of these problems I decided to try playing the bass with a pick and I must say that there was much better tone and you could hear all of the strings. I think this bass was designed for the picking bass player in mind. I don't play with a pick so I sent the bass back. I have to give it up to musicians friend return policy. I had no problems with the return at all and they even paid to have it shipped back.

After playing Fender Jazz Basses for years I decided to try Music Man. I tried a lot of Stingrays and Sterlings. Music Man basses can be as individual as Fenders, it might take some trial and error to find the right Music Man for you. The Stingray is a power house of Jazz Bass type tone. You can get the sound of both pickups in one humbucker. The HS models are good, the HH I haven't played one I like. The 3 band EQ may take some getting used to and time to find your sound but it's worth it. I think your standard SR will give you P and Jazz Bass sounds so a SR could be the only bass you ever need. Solid construction and ash body. Get a painted headstock! I can't suggest maple fretboards. They are not finished like a Fender and after playing it will get filthy. But that could be your thing. I was dubious of the 11" radius neck but out of the box my SR felt like one of the best necks I have.

I just got my MM in and I must say , I was completely blown away. Amazing tone and low end, with crisp highs and just the right amount of mids with all knobs at full. Three band active EQ is really solid. The flame on the neck and the fast and low action make this my definite new favorite bass. I use fingers and picks for our band and this bass suits any style you are going to throw at it. Put this thing through an SVT rig and really watch it shine. For sure my favorite bass that I own. Worth the money!!

first of all great job on delivering instrument to me here in Afghanistan, came in 15 days in perfect condition not even out of tune ...bought a used 4 string and I can't believe that this is considered a used instrument ..as for the tone someone once wrote "it will make you believe" ..well I'm a believer :) overall great instrument, good build,not as heavy like some people say at least not to me :) tone is huge , fat but well defined also this is a ultimate slap machine LJ style :) could not be happier with my purchase and I'm gonna buy me another one :D can't wait to get back home to plug this baby in to a EBS HD 350 wooooooooohoooooooo :)

This bass is SOLID. I bought my stingray 4 (natural ash with maple neck) in 2001 and have been playing it hard ever since. Low maintenance, requiring only minor seasonal neck adjustments. Neck is extremely solid and the strings rarely go out of tune. My bass begs to be played hard and responds well to any fingerstye or slap input. I have broken many a D and G string as a result of excessive popping and this bass can take it with no problems at all. This bass requires the player to adjust playing style to bring out the desired character as there are minimal options for tone shaping. This bass is very responsive to subtle changes in right hand technique; greater attack brings out the growl while light fingerstyle gives a smooth sound. Some people find the neck and pickup location cumbersome, but they both suit my needs perfectly. Overall, I love this bass and will likely never part with it. And it seems to be getting better with age!

Still trying to find that Pbass sounds, can get close but not exact.....very punchy still....VERY punchycan get so many different sounds from the 1 pickup its amazing, but the main thing about this bass is the playability and action....man its like BUTTAAmerican made and VERY good workmanshipgot it 15% off at musicansfriend......$1190 no tax no shipping ....DEAL

This was my first US made bass, and I am not disappionted with it at all. I will try to have it as long as I can. It has a distinct tone, unbeatable features, killer looks, and a fast neck. It's perfect for what I pla y and I love itthe features on this bass are basic, but they do their job well! a solid three band eq can totally change your tone, I just bump up the low frequency knob a bit because of the pick up spacing,this bass is built like a rock, no problems what so ever,

My Stingray has been through everything with me from the birth of my children to the demise of my marriage. She took everything...but not my Stingray. Okay they ain't cheap and they ain't that light but they have everything you could ever ask for in a bass. The ability to go from blues to metal to jazz with ease makes this one of the most versatile basses on the market. I've had mine since 88 and it looks it. She is well loved. Probably not the best bass to learn on due to the fat neck and weight but the build quality, tone, looks and ability are second to none. I heard my precision on the phone yesterday...I think she's seeing someone else. Oh well.